Compare the2024 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2023 BMW X5 M

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi SQ5 Sportback are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and X5 M have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X5 M’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the X5 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi SQ5 Sportback is safer than the BMW X5 M:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi SQ5 Sportback is safer than the BMW X5 M:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 Sportback gets better mileage than the X5 M:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X5 M requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi SQ5 Sportback higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X5 M (3). This means the SQ5 Sportback produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 M every 15,000 miles.

The SQ5 Sportback has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 M doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the X5 M’s (38.7 feet vs. 42 feet).

The Audi SQ5 Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 pounds less than the BMW X5 M.

The SQ5 Sportback is 10.4 inches shorter than the X5 M, making the SQ5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi SQ5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The SQ5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is significantly lower than the X5 M (.38) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SQ5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The SQ5 Sportback has 1.1 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the X5 M.

The front step up height for the SQ5 Sportback is 1.2 inches lower than the X5 M (18.3” vs. 19.5”). The SQ5 Sportback’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the X5 M’s (18” vs. 20”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the SQ5 Sportback easier. The SQ5 Sportback’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the X5 M’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The SQ5 Sportback’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 M’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The SQ5 Sportback has a 4400 lbs. towing capacity. The X5 M has no towing capacity.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X5 M doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Insurance will cost less for the SQ5 Sportback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SQ5 Sportback will cost $2155 to $3435 less than the X5 M over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi SQ5 Sportback will be $36859 to $45807 less than for the BMW X5 M.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback outsold the BMW X5 by 1572 units during 2023.